A breakdown of Boise State’s next opponent UNLV
FACTS AND FIGURES
Where: Las Vegas (589,317)
Founded: 1957
Enrollment: 28,000
Colors: Scarlet and gray
Nickname: Rebels
Record: 1-6, 1-1 Mountain West
Last game: Lost to Nevada 42-37 on Saturday in Las Vegas
COACH
Bobby Hauck is 5-27 in the third year of a major rebuilding project. He’s 4-13 in Mountain West play.
Hauck got the job with Chris Petersen-like numbers at Montana, where he posted an 80-17 (82.5 percent) record in seven seasons, won at least a share of the Big Sky title every year and reached the FCS championship game three times. He won 31 of his last 32 Big Sky games.
He spent four years each as the special teams coach at Washington (1999-2002) and Colorado (1995-98).
OFFENSE
The Rebels use a balanced attack — they have 263 rushing attempts and 268 pass attempts this season — with a strong run game. Junior Tim Cornett averages 106.7 rushing yards per game. He has five 100-yard games this season and is seventh in school history in career touchdowns (21) and sixth in career rushing yards (1,985).
Freshman quarterback Nick Sherry (11 TDs, eight interceptions) throws to two sophomore wide receivers — Marcus Sullivan and Devante Davis — who average about 14 yards per catch. Last year’s starting quarterback, Caleb Herring, has emerged as another threat as a slot receiver.
DEFENSE
The Rebels rank 106th in the nation in scoring defense (36 points per game), 109th in yards allowed (478.7 per game) and 107th in rushing defense (215.4 yards per game). Their last five opponents have scored at least 35 points.
Senior linebacker John Lotulelei leads the team with 69 tackles. Freshman end Sonny Sanitoa, who was injured during fall camp, has emerged as a pass-rush threat since joining the lineup. He has three sacks — one in each game he has played.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Rebels have two strong specialists — punter Chase Lansford (43.6-yard average, 11 inside the 20-yard line) and kicker Nolan Kohorst (9-of-10 field goals, 22-of-22 PATs). The Rebels have allowed a punt-return touchdown but have been solid otherwise in kick coverage. They haven’t gotten a spark from their return game yet.
DID YOU KNOW?
UNLV has not played at Bronco Stadium since 1977. The Rebels are 0-3 there.
Chadd Cripe: 377-6398, Twitter: @IDS_BroncoBeat
